'The Cambodian Suwon Village project recognized by the king.'
Suwon Mayor Kim Yong-seo, City Council Chairman Hong Ki-heon, and LFM (Lamp for Mercy) Chairman Kim Jung-wook received the high-ranking royal decoration ('Sahak Metrey Mohasena') from King Norodom Sihamoni of Cambodia.
Suwon's receipt of the decoration recognizes the city's continuous exchange activities since 2004 in various fields in Cambodia, including information technology advancement, educational development, and improvements to residential environments.
On the 12th, Oung Ouen, governor of Miyeanchey Province in Cambodia, visited City Hall to present the royal decoration from the Cambodian king to Mayor Kim Yong-seo and Chairman Hong Ki-heon.
Prior to the decoration ceremony, Press Secretary Uk Georatanak stated, "We present this decoration in recognition of the love Suwon City has shown toward the Cambodian people and their great contributions to information technology advancement and educational development."
Upon receiving the decoration, Mayor Kim Yong-seo said, "First, I express gratitude to the king, and I believe this is a sign of the king's appreciation to our 1.1 million citizens," adding "I dedicate this honor to all the citizens who have actively participated in city administration."
Governor Oung Ouen expressed repeated gratitude for Suwon's support in providing computers and educational materials to Cambodia, and exchanged a broad range of views on mutual exchange plans, including requests for continued investment in Cambodia.
Previously, in May 2007, Oung Ouen, who was then the first deputy governor of Siem Reap Province in Cambodia, visited City Hall and delivered the gold medal of the National Reconstruction Order, the highest decoration awarded by the Cambodian government to foreigners.
Mayor Kim also received a decoration from Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen in September 2004 for merits including delivering goods collected through citizens' efforts to the sister city of Siem Reap Province.
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Since entering into a sister city relationship with Siem Reap Province in Cambodia in 2004, Suwon has carried out local support activities through the delivery of computers, medicine, and school supplies, as well as volunteer activities.
In July 2007, from July 22 to 28, Suwon held the 'Suwon Youth Overseas Volunteer Camp' in Siem Reap Province, with 120 middle and high school students from Suwon participating.
In particular, after consulting with the Siem Reap Province government in February of the same year to push forward with the establishment of Suwon Village, Suwon provided 400 kg of rice to two candidate sites: Phnom Krom Village near Tonle Sap Lake and Bomphen Rich Village near Angkor Wat.
On December 26, 2007, Suwon Mayor Kim Yong-seo proclaimed Phnom Krom Village in Siem Reap Province, Cambodia, as Suwon Village in Cambodia.
The Suwon Village development project, which involved an investment of 623 million won from 2007 to 2010, has achieved results including the construction of one community hall, the construction of 12 shared restrooms, the installation of three incinerators, road paving, renovation of 50 houses, and the construction of a middle school and the expansion of 10 classrooms in an elementary school.
Additionally, Suwon citizens are directly participating in private diplomacy activities, including medical volunteer services held five times and the provision of 30,301 relief items such as clothing, daily necessities, toys, school supplies, shoes, and school equipment.
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